The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-04-02

At least, he doesn't come rs often now
as formerly" said Mrs Handy. reproach I
fully.
..He has had business TO occupy him."
Business againi You men have that
word on the tip Of your tongue MS an
excuse for everything. And that re-
minds me that YOU have not told me
what business detained You to-day
twenty minutes past our dinner-hour.
Il told you was doing business for
q friend"
WAS your friend a--a man ora
womanP"
"A man"
al knew YOU would say that What
was the use of asking such question:
..rhen why did YOU askp But, for
mercy's sake. Flora, let us have done
with this absurd talk aud sit down to
dinner. 1t IL half-past six" looking
again impatiently at his watch.
Il shall not be able to eat mouth
full. wouldn't be surprised II you've
been paying OH some debts for jewelry
for some woman whom you call II
friend Nice friend for married mani
Aud now | and the poor children may
beg in vain for little money 10 buy
shoes 10 our feet"
II tell YOU there Is no woman in the
easel" said Mr.. Handy. angrily. "And
/ as YOU seem determined To make fuss
| over the matter. will inform you that
the friend Of whom | speak, and in
whom am much interested. has been
engaged in some wild speculation. and
been tempted to make use of money not
belonging to him
There. said soI' interrupted Mrs
Handy. triumphantly. ''And you've
been lending him money TO replace
what he stole.
II have lent him money. and have
offered myself as security from the debts
contract-
What! So, for the sake of n wretch
like that you have reduced YOUR wife
and children to beggaryi Who is Il.
pray. that has made such fool OF your
have no patience with such mild
minded follyl" cried Mrs Handy. de
family
..If YOU must know. madam" replied
her husband. turning full upon her. ii
is your brother. Richard Marcy"
Mrs HANDY started as though she hae
received blow.
brother Dick? Oh. Henryi you can
, be in earnest. surelyp You're not speak
ing the truthP"
Il am sorry TO say that | am. Dicl
has been weak and imprudent yielding
to bad counsel and a moments temp
, tation, but"-his wife exhibited sign
, of swooning-.'don't worry over it
. have made it all right and there is not
no danger of exposure and dtsgrac,
, and. as to the rest. he has suffered to
? much not to be on his guard for tn
future.
4 "And you oh. Henry. how good an
r noble YOU arei And can YOU ever fol
give vour unworthy wifeP"
0 The next moment the pair we're lock
: ed in each others arms; and Mrs. Hand
: was Historically sobUing out her EN-,
r tions on her husbands shoulder. Will
il he gently soothed her.
'sCome. let us forget all this" he sal
v kindly. "and go to dinner at once, VI
4 less il is already spoiled. Ii Is now
8 quarter to suven-thirty minutes pa
our regular dinner-hour
y Yes" said Mrs. Handy. slowly.
If she wiped the tears from her eyes, a
parently in no haste for the long-dela
l. ed meal-"yes; but you know you can
in fifteen minutes too late.
Is Certainly; but you can forgive tn
N now that YOU know the causeP
a '.Of course | cani Only-I only wis
" ed to explain that cook was impude
n to-day. as you know she has been b
n fore; so thought best to order her rig
lie off and send to the registry office 4
IN another. The new cook didn't col
% until late, and-I feared you would
annoyed when you came home a
m found that"
r. Here Mrs Handy colored. and look
rather embarrassed.
b. THAT whatp"
D. THAT dinner won't be ready till ha
past seven"
se Handy gazed at his wife in silen'
ID tneu walked to the window and look
5. out His feelings were too deep for
K. preston; yet he did mutter to himself
,u ''Of all created beings women are
strangestr'
d, And Mary. softly rising from
r knees outside the door, repaired to
If kitchen TO inform the new cook of
,y state of things upstairs. and to rem'
he sarcastically:
q. She'll be as sweet as sugar now 8
of till the Hert ttplei And. my patien
les what fools men are. anyway